How Michaela Harte’s death inspired love and hate
By: Niall O'Dowd | Published Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 10:40 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 10:03 PM
If you wanted both a story of inspiration and one that will depress you, look no further than the tragic death of Tyrone woman Michaela Harte on her honeymoon in Mauritius where she was murdered earlier this month.
She was the daughter of Mickey Harte, the inspirational manager of the Tyrone GAA football ream who led the side to three All-Ireland titles.
This is not about the family and the incredible resilience and bravery that the Harte family showed after Michaela was murdered by thieves who broke into her room.
Rather it is about two Protestants and their reaction to the events surrounding her death.
First, let us consider the case of former Loyalist paramilitary leader Winston Rea, who once was convicted for his part in the murder of two Catholics.
He was so moved by Michaela’s death and her family’s response that he personally went to the funeral to pay respects to the family.
As he told the Belfast Telegraph, “We all have our own daughters and granddaughters, and everyone was moved by what happened to say the least.
“Some of us would have a past, including myself, but none of us would like it if something tragic like that happened to someone in our families. This was not about publicity, it was about showing support to a grieving family who lost a wife, daughter and sister in very tragic circumstances.
“The committee of 1st Shankill Northern Ireland Supporters Club held an extraordinary meeting on Friday night, and it was decided that we wanted to deliver two sympathy cards, one to the Harte family and one to the McAreaveys. I was more than proud and honored to be asked to deliver the cards.
“When I got there I was touched by how warmly welcomed I was into the Harte family home.”
He met Sinn Fein Minister Martin McGuinness, once one of his deadliest enemies.
“Martin McGuinness recognized me and came straight over and held out his hand to me. I took his hand and I felt a very warm sensation,” Rea said.
“He spoke very kind words to me. He said, ‘It is really nice to see you here and I’m very glad that you made the journey.’ And he said that I would be warmly received by the whole county of Tyrone.
“I will treasure those words for a long time because I know he was being totally sincere. His approach to me spoke volumes.”
Rea was part of the Loyalist leadership that delivered the 1994 Loyalist paramilitary ceasefire which helped transform Northern Ireland.
Inside he was met by a Harte family member.
“I said who I was and who I was representing. When that person heard that, he immediately called over other family members who stood by my side for the whole duration I was there,” Rea said.
“I really appreciated the hospitality. Even on a sad day, I was very warmly received.
“I was then asked if I would go up to see Mickey and other family in the room where Michaela lay in an open coffin. As I walked by Michaela I said a few prayer words into myself.
“At the head of the coffin on a stool was her daddy Mickey. I introduced myself, and like Martin McGuinness, he held his hand out and took mine.
The whole time we talked he held my hand.
“He thanked me and said how pleased he was to see me. I then went to shake hands with the rest of the immediate family, and there was her husband John. I stopped and spoke to him and he gave me a warm handshake and thanked me for making the journey.
“Even for all they were going through they were all very welcoming. I was very touched.”
Rea’s visit shows how far the North has come in a very short time -- a sense of common humanity has grown up that allows both sides the ability to see each other.
On the other side, however, is the remnant of the hatred that still exists in parts of Northern Ireland.
A newspaper photographer named Susanne Morrison, just 19, ranted on her Facebook page that she was “sick of hearing” about Michaela's murder because she could not see “what makes her so special.”
The Belfast Telegraph reported that “Susanne also made other sickening remarks which we are not repeating.”
She claimed that Michaela’s honeymoon murder was a case of “karma” and that “what goes around comes around.”
She wrote, “Susanne Morrison is sick hearing about Makeala [sic] Hartes death!
“Thousands of people die terrible deaths every day through diseases and whatever so what makes her so special.
“Soldiers don’t get as much coverage as she has and they are risking their lives to protect us! Its about time this country got its priorities right!!!”
The incident shows once again there are two types of people in the world, those who can love and forgive and those who can’t.
Fortunately the former are in the vast majority these days in Northern Ireland.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.noeldoyle | Feb 02, 2011, 01:50 AM EST
As Citizen69 says"Sussanne Morrison is a stupid, narrow minded teenager from a biggoted working class protestant family and she has been influenced by her parents, "KARMA" I think!
jacersagain | Jan 30, 2011, 05:06 PM EST
citizen69 - I think your last point is well made and you are better placed than I am to know the mindset. It behoves the educational authorities in N.I. to change that. It might take a generation to achieve a new understanding of people and cultures other than their own. May that succeed.
citizen69 | Jan 30, 2011, 08:35 AM EST
@jacersagain: I agree with you that Northern Ireland is moving forward but as a N.I. citizen i can tell you it's moving too slow. Our working class communities still remain segregated and the main political parties have no real interest in changing that. If a person is born & raised in an area of one religion/culture, gets educated in a school of one religion/culture and spend most of their time socializing with people of the same religion/culture then are we surprised that they have misguided opinions of other religion/cultures? I too welcome the fact that a once hardline loyalist paramilitary attended the funeral of a prominent GAA family member. The vast majority of people in Northern Ireland of both communities have great sympathy for the Harte family but it is simply not news that there are still people from the previously stated backgrounds stuck in the old mind-set. This kind of 'story' distorts reality & public perception and is merely cashing-in on a tragedy that sells.
Towngate | Jan 28, 2011, 10:12 PM EST
NIALL,A CHARA : Your:"...there are two types of people..." begs the question: Are you one of those who can "love and forgive" young Suzanne - or one of "those who can't"?
jacersagain | Jan 28, 2011, 06:31 PM EST
@ citizen69 at 11.44AM – you make a fair point re the case of the phone-in woman’s attitude and lack of media uproar etc – but it is one that doesn’t belong in today’s forward-looking Northern Ireland. I’d see that case as political, whereas the Michaela (nee Harte) tragedy was entirely human and apolitical, one that could happen in any person’s family - as remarkably and righteously recognised by the 1st SNIPS Club’s decision and Mr. Rea’s delivery of their sympathy to the Harte family. That explains the disparity. It is certainly not a subject for sick, silly, ill-considered public rants like those of legally responsible young people like Ms. Morrison. Like any young silly person, I think she needs a second chance and goes on to redeem herself. Again, I say, fair dues to Niall O’Dowd for his article above, highlighting very valid points. It should help to get rid of disparities.
jacersagain | Jan 28, 2011, 06:24 PM EST
@sirpeter at 06.58Pm and later posters – yes, to some extent it was overblown by media into an enormous fuss. I did not attack Ms. Morrison; my post merely pointed out the oddity of people trying to excuse her Facebook rant as that of an immature teenager while at the same time she is legally recognised by the State as being mature and responsible enough to be allowed to work in a job and to cast her vote in elections. I know enough about teenagers and their larking ways (I’ve been through the teen lives of my own three children and their friends) – indeed, many people just don’t “Grow Up” despite getting older (I’d include myself there!). I agree that Ms. Morrison shouldn’t have lost her job; a severe reprimand (i.e. a right proper bollicking) and a sincere offer of apology would have sufficed. sirpeter and all Christians know well that Jesus, most of all, accepts self-offered apology and penance before forgiveness is granted.
Sparklet | Jan 28, 2011, 03:01 PM EST
Susanna is no different to lots of others in their disdain over grief for anyone remotely connected to a public figure. What was unforgiveable was her karma comment, implying that poor Michaela's death was somehow deserved.
Kilsally | Jan 28, 2011, 12:55 PM EST
why the fuss over a teenagers rant on facebook - teenagers rant about allsorts of things on facebook - how wasted they were at the weekend, who they fell outwith, who cheated on them all sorts - dont think she was having a go at anyone just blowing off steam - her comment was actually fairly valid - of all the deaths of Northern Irish people why did this one go all over the media. not saying I agree with her but it was a valid enough question. Facebook profile is NOT the bloomin BBC!
citizen69 | Jan 28, 2011, 11:44 AM EST
A point in case to the over-reaction.... Yesterday on BBC Radio Ulster a current affairs show was discussing a recent attempted bomb attack in Belfast when a lady phoned in. The lady who called herself 'Sheila' ranted that if the police officers (who were the intended target) regarded themselves as British then she wouldn't have cared a jot if they were blown to pieces. When informed that a 3 year old child could have been killed by the bomb she basically said it would have been worth it in the name of 'Irish freedom'. She also said she would sacrifice her own children for Ireland. These comments were much worse than Susanne Morrison's yet not one newspaper gave this rant a single line of coverage in this morning's editions. What makes this bigoted rant any less news worthy than those of Ms. Morrison's?? A woman of clearly a mature age who broadcasts disgusting remarks on national radio is completely ignored by the press while a teenager who makes her remarks to her network of 'friends' on Facebook is vilified and plastered all over the media. Why the disparity?
cuddlybuddly | Jan 28, 2011, 09:56 AM EST
The people who persecute her should keep in mind what goes around comes around.....she seems to be a convenient scapegoat for peoples anger, grow up and realise she is an immature kid who meant well for the soldiers and went over the top
sirpeter | Jan 27, 2011, 06:58 PM EST
jacers...You say she was plain silly..I agree..but she is paying to heavy a price ..For posting a few words that were inappropriate..losing her job..hatecrime!!..police involvement!!. Reminds me of something the Taliban would do..It's certainly a bit similar..So what if she was hugely disrespectful on stupid facebook..She didn't tip over the coffin..I'm no fan of Ulster Protestant's. But my long range built in sh*t detector is going haywire here. It's a bad state of affairs when a 19 year old foolish half-baked girl can get in so much trouble and be ridiculed beyond belief for saying something stupid..The Belfast Telegraph do they have any mercy..Look at all the things that have been said up there over the years by politician's. I don't care what anyone believes..This is not what Jesus Christ would have done.
jacersagain | Jan 27, 2011, 03:27 PM EST
I think Niall has made great valid points above. I don’t think apologists for Ms. Morrison are making good excuses (e.g. she’s only 19 or she’s immature etc...). Face up to it: she’s out of school, she’s been working, she has the right to vote - and yet people try to pardon her by saying she’s immature and didn’t know what she was doing?? She was plain silly – believing in ‘Karma’ shows that - and hugely disrespectful to grieving families in an unimaginable tragedy, whereas Mr. Rea’s act of personal delivery of sympathy on his own, on behalf of the 1st Shankill Northern Ireland Supporters Club, shows remarkable respect between people of different traditions. As a Catholic, as a GAA man and as a soccer supporter may I say “Thank you for your magnanimity and well done” to the 1st SNIPS Club of Shankill in this instance? May Ms. Morrison learn from your example here.
sirpeter | Jan 27, 2011, 12:36 PM EST
I think her losing her job was to severe.A reprimand would have been enough and the threat of losing her job if she made that stupid mistake again. Why should the words of a silly 19 year old girl lead to such an extreme punishment. They are just words!! maybe she had PMS or something at the time. That young girl has grown up with bigotry all her life. This is to draconian...hatecrime!!..police involvement!!...Poor Girl...Something is not right here..19 years of age and they are hanging her out to dry for a bit of dumbness. feck sake!!
McNabb1966 | Jan 27, 2011, 12:21 PM EST
@Silling... First of all, the word you're looking for is "libel," not "slander." There is a difference. But, of course, Niall DID NO SUCH THING. Susanne Morrison, on the other hand, richly deserves whatever negativity falls on her. As she herself said, "What goes around, comes around." Karma...
McSpartacus | Jan 27, 2011, 07:40 AM EST
First the obvious: this nitwit who posted the obnoxious remarks is certainly getting Karma now. Secondly, even if the counter-reaction is overdone, this will serve as a very useful, em, "teachable moment" for any young - and not just young - person using Facebook: what the perils of mouthing off in a room full of 500 million people are. Third, not in anyway to detract from her crassness... but is this a hatecrime? Should the police be involved in patrolling speech like this? Is the best way to deal with this to give it more publicity, and magnify a really, really dumb comment into some kind of threat against an entire ethnic community?
Silling | Jan 27, 2011, 03:00 AM EST
Niall O'Dowd could have had more compassion by removing his profit motive advertisement " FIND YOUR IRISH MATCH @ IRISH CENTRAL.COM " from directly over the leading article of Michaela Harte's death. You may slander Susanne Morrison Niall, but remember that when we point the finger there are always three pointing back at ourselves. It is a tasteless advertisement to have blazoned on a death column, you should be ashamed of yourself. Answer directly on the comment page as I am sure the readers might like to see how you worm out of it.
maloney | Jan 26, 2011, 07:39 PM EST
Very good article Niall. Poor Susanne's words were prophetic, karma & what goes around comes around. Hopefully she will learn & do well. At least something good came from this horrible crime.
barneyjo | Jan 26, 2011, 07:02 PM EST
"Winkie" Rea's act of compassion and solidarity with the McAreavey and Harte families are proof (if proof were needed) that it is the people who make the peace and not the politicians. I can only imagine that at least at some level he would have been fearful (though he had no reason to be) of making this journey. I can only hope that he is one more person who now realises that hurt and loss will tear the heart out of any family, be they Protestant, Catholic or other. I have to say, as a child of the troubles (now almost 50yrs old) I lived through the Enniskillen bombing and its aftermath. Also the Omagh bomb. I remember being in the congregation at St Michaels Catholic Church Enniskillen for a memorial mass for those killed in the bomb; the dead were all Protestants. During the mass, the late Gordon Wilson who's daughter Marie had been killed in the blast entered the church to pray with his catholic neighbours. He knew that we shared his grief, and the grief of all the families of those killed. Ten years later, I witnessed the same compassion and humanity in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb. After those events, I somehow always knew that the strong desire for peace, enshrined in the words of the Paul Brady song "The Island" would come to fruition. The last line says "The twisted (carbomb) wreckage down on Main street will bring us all together in the end, and we'll go marching down the road to freedom!!"
ElGordo | Jan 26, 2011, 06:59 PM EST
The article below articulates what Susanne was perhaps trying to express. As a result of her clumsy and rather insensitive way of expressing herself to her friends on facebook (not in the newspaper she worked part time for) she has been completely vilified by the press. The Irish Sun puts the Facebook comments of an immature teenager ahead of the bombing of Moscow airport. Ask yourself who is more guilty of stirring up hatred - those who publicise this to millions or those who post it on their facebook for hundreds. The media coverage of Susanne's comments have stirred up more sectarian bigotry than the posting of the comments themselves ever could have. http://www.graduatetimes.com/columns/learning-the-trade/2011/01/19/how-journalists-cover-the-tragedies/ In the weeks when hundreds died in Brazil, when Queensland was flooded, when a man was murdered in broad daylight in the street in county Tyrone, the sensationalist media filled the papers with the coverage of Michaela's sad death. I have deepest sympathy with the McAreavey and Harte family and all who know them. I also believe that people have the right to challenge how the media value a life, as measured in column inches. I feel very sorry for Susanne and her family as she will now be at serious risk of hate crime in her home area of south down as a result of the media.
Threedegrees | Jan 26, 2011, 05:47 PM EST
I ttotally disagree with suzannes comments and feel for the Harte family and friends to have to deal with this outburst, she herself is bound to be hurting right now...this couldn't be a good feeling for ...but if anything I hope that karma has taught her a lesson... Michaela R. I .P Michaela, you beautiful innocent angel
Sparklet | Jan 26, 2011, 03:24 PM EST
BARNEYKX, has S.Morrison lost her job over this? Cool!
chesapeake | Jan 26, 2011, 03:14 PM EST
I can understand apathy;but I cannot fathom malevolence toward the deceased. Ms. Morrison is obviously jealous of a corpse.
BARNEYKX | Jan 26, 2011, 03:04 PM EST
Typical of Nr IRELAND GLAD TO HEAR THIS BIGOT HAS LOST HER JOB GOOD RIDDANCE
BARNEYKX | Jan 26, 2011, 01:35 PM EST
Susanne Morrison arch bigot to many like her in Nr Ire, burn her at the stake
Sparklet | Jan 26, 2011, 01:21 PM EST
PS I would be inclined to think that Susanne didn't learn from Government, as too much has changed in the past 20 years for her to be affected in that way. More likely she has been influenced by family and/or friends because that's where the prejudices still remain for some.
Sparklet | Jan 26, 2011, 01:09 PM EST
Susanne Morrison is typical of a lot of people who seem to think that you shouldn't grieve for someone in the public eye, because of all the other people who have been tragically killed. Well someone should tell these unintelligent excuses for human beings that love and compassion actually have no boundaries, and plain common sense should tell them that if you can put a face, and a personality, to a victim, it makes that tragedy so much more real. It doesn't mean that we don't feel for those nameless, faceless victims. Susanne Morrison is a sick excuse for a human being, and probably a hypocrite too, as no doubt she would grieve for her favourite singer, sportsman, or whoever, if they died in similar circumstances.
Dublinjas | Jan 26, 2011, 01:06 PM EST
Great story, Very sad and at the same time very heart warming, I will just ignore the last 7 or 8 paragraphs.
citizen69 | Jan 26, 2011, 12:21 PM EST
I agree with sirpeter here... Miss Morrison is just a stupid, narrow minded teenager from a working class estate/project who ranted some objectionable opinions on her facebook page... How to hell is that front page news in the papers & headline news on the tv? i could understand it if the comments were made by a public figure or someone in a position of influence or power. Imagine if we took every off-colour or bigoted comment made by every little idiot on Facebook/Myspace or even this website and made it front page news?? There would be no room for real stories. I think it's dissapointing that the media made this into a major news story just to sell papers.... I suppose the point of this article is that we are meant to feel that Mr Rea is the better person of the two? Yet he is the one who murdered two people while the other merely voiced some ugly comments on her own facebook page. So who really is the evil one Niall?
Helen Ferone | Jan 26, 2011, 12:02 PM EST
Unfortunately, Susanne represents the teachings of her family and government, and before she speaks such nonsense again, she should think of her own family, and how she would feel if it happened to a close relative. If you accomplish nothing else in your life except peace, love, and understanding you've done plenty. To fill your life with such hate at a young age is so sad because you have nothing to look forward to, and no happiness will be found.
cillowen | Jan 26, 2011, 11:46 AM EST
what made her so special was understandable given her beauty and her dad's special genius in motivating Tyrone lads to win three all-ireland medals for the north. That's for starters, ranter morrison ............... why bother with hater ...
Searlit | Jan 26, 2011, 11:28 AM EST
You said it all, beautifully, jamieLM.
jamieLM | Jan 26, 2011, 10:45 AM EST
Susanne doesn't get it. She's an immature 19 yr. old teenager. Susanne, be grateful and appreciative that you're alive to gripe. I hope Michaela's death encourages you to live every moment of your life to its fullest and best, as if it could be your last. Yes, thousands of people die everyday who are just as "special" and loved by their family and friends. Other people are just as devastated and heart-broken over the deaths of their loved ones as Michaela's spouse, family, and friends are over hers. Michaela's death reminds all of us how vulnerable we are, no matter who we are. All the love of a spouse, family and friends, inner and outer beauty, faith, money, privilege, - none of it is protection against any of us becoming a victim of some deadly, random senseless act. (Tuscon) Her murder underscores what a dangerous, violent world we live in and how quickly our lives can come to an untimely end. So Susanne, in Michaela and the many others who have received press coverage in death, we see ourselves. We don't have to have known Michaela personally to understand and feel her family's grief over her tragic death and to feel angered over the senselessness of it. Michaela's death reminds us of, and mirrors to us, the fragility of our own lives and of those we love. In a sense, Michaela is all of us. May she R.I.P.
pacifist | Jan 26, 2011, 10:30 AM EST
Who am I to judge this young person who may have been spoon-fed British nationalist and sectarian propaganda from childhood as have far too many the sons and daughters of the Irish nationalist and Roman Catholic side of the Northern Ireland communities. She is more to be pitied than blamed.
nedmcginley | Jan 26, 2011, 10:28 AM EST
As was said in a previous comment. We should not put much emphasis into a Facebook ranting versus a genuine expression of grief and as importantly reconciliation from a former Loyalist leader. In my opinion a facebook postings should never be mentioned with a face to face expression of grief, it is little more than drunken bar talk.
joanmoody | Jan 26, 2011, 10:23 AM EST
What Mr. Rea did showed that there can be peace in the world and his kindness to a grieving family spoke volumes for Northern Ireland but the other side of the coin spoke as well of a teenager who can't see beyond her nose and think that it could be her that died.
sirpeter | Jan 26, 2011, 10:06 AM EST
Niall..In all fairness man..When it comes to a 19 year old and her immature little rants.She didn't hurt anybody but herself.Teenagers say all sorts of stupid things,but we let it slide.It really unfair to label her with a word like hate. Neill this is a 19 year old you are talking about.There is a coming to terms with alot of changes in Northern Ireland and it takes time for things to heal.Publishing an article like this...Just doesn't feel right to me
Bushothehill | Jan 26, 2011, 09:38 AM EST
Thanks, Winston Rea for showing some kindness and sympathy to a grieving family. Hope you are truly representative of a New Northern Ireland. As for Susanne, she represents the bias and ignorance that has existed in the North for centuries.
Maggiemay212 | Jan 26, 2011, 09:37 AM EST
I so appreciated reading this article. It's sometimes hard to know the climate of Ireland living so far away. How this tragedy brought out the best in nearly all is touching and inspiring. As for the "poor girl" Susanne, she brought her embarassment upon herself. One hopes that peace will find her one day...
Gearoid | Jan 26, 2011, 09:24 AM EST
I think this piece is in very poor taste. Mr Rea's visit was indeed memorable and positive ground shift in the thinking of people in Northern Ireland and was indeed a heartening and worthwhile piece of reporting. But the juxtapositioning of this piece and the rants of a random 19yr old teenager being given column inches is ridiculous. At that age, young people are neither mature or particularily articulate and as any parent would know are usually self centered and a little out of touch with the world. To be characterising this as the anything other than immature ranting from a teenager is mischievious and irresponsible. The poor girl now has to live with something that will probably haunt her with embarrassment for the rest of her life. Another salutory lesson in the dangers of publishing personal thoughts in today's social media.
msymsed | Jan 26, 2011, 09:19 AM EST
This shows how self-centeredness and rampant stupidity are world-wide epidemics. I feel very sorry for Susanne.